Listing Stuff with Commas (Question)

When in the middle of a sentence and you start listing stuff, how do you usually leave the last part of the seperation?

...item 1, item 2, and item 3

or

...item 1, item 2 and item 3

I usually comma before the "and" as well but think both ways are correct but want a more experienced answer.

Thanks

 

You put a comma before the and if you used another and in another part of the sentence. Not sure if I have a better way of explaining it so I'll just use an example.

"I like Alice in Chains, Coheed and Cambria, and Soundgarden."

 

I know that but let's just keep it to basics. If for example, you are listing movies, you won't go like this:

"Babar, James, and the Giant Peach, and Clifford the Movie" it would be "Babar, James and the Giant Peach, and Clifford the Movie"

...but what I am asking is, actually look at the examples below to get an idea.

"...berry, cherry, and strawberry"

or

"...berry, cherry and strawberry"

Thanks

 

I think it's up to you.

I prefer to use this as I find it more clear for both readers and writers.

 

Just double checking as I try to perfect every part of my writing style and usually notice certain habits that I feel may be incorrect or less preferred. This is the method that I use as well and I guess I'll continue using it but I noticed quite a few articles that don't have that last comma.

Thanks for your input exeQutor.

 

It is correct either way. Generally, in a simple list you would not use a comma. In a more complex list where the comma actually helped (like a series of directions rather than simple words), you would.


Also, see here: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm

 

Is the one I always use. No particular reason except that's how I have been taught to do it.

 

I can't explain it without writing out the full paragraph but if I am listing the symptoms of bipolar disorder for example, I will have to seperate the symptoms with commas. The only thing that had me concerned was the last comma (before "and") so I wanted to double check on that.

Thanks.

 

I think if I were listing symptoms, I would separate the ”and” with a comma because you don't want readers to think of symptom 1 AND symptom two as one unit rather than an either/or. Does that make sense?

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include restlessness, anger, lethargy, and mood swings.

vs

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include restlessness, anger, lethargy and mood swings.

 

That's what I do but I'm trying to keep it in general and just using that as an example. Is there any set "rule of thumb" for it?

I guess I am currently doing it right (comma right before "and") so I'll just stick to that.

Thanks.

 

You don't anymore need a comma after "item 2" in that, a comma in a list
or enumeration in mid-sentence serves as a conjunction between 2 items;
with the conjunction "and" already in place, using a comma becomes
redundant.

 

In your first list of symptoms, "lethargy" and "mood swings" appear like 2, whereas in your second list, "lethargy and mood swings" appears like 1. Now, I'm not too familiar with bipolar disorders, but let us make clear if we are
talking about 1 or 2 symptoms involving "lethargy", and "mood swings."

 

In your first list of symptoms, "lethargy" and "mood swings" appear like 2, whereas in your second list, "lethargy and mood swings" appears like 1. Now, I'm not too familiar with bipolar disorders, but let us make clear if we are
talking about 1 or 2 symptoms involving "lethargy", and "mood swings."

 

That was my point. The first, in this case, would be more clear than the second- because the second makes 2 symptoms appear as one unit.

Sunhunter- from everything I've read, they are both technically correct. I think it is mostly in a print world that you will see the ",and" comma disregarded. I generally do not include the comma because I do feel that it is redundant in most cases.

I always trust OWL with questions like this, they are a fantastic resource for anything writey: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_comma.html

 

There is conflicting advice, so it probably depends on whether you're following a certain writing style or not (e.g. AP, MLA, etc.).

From Strunk & White's The Elements of Style

It goes on to say that you can omit the final comma in the names of business firms, like: Ryder, Herning and Sampson.

The AP Stylebook says to eliminate the comma before the conjuction in a simple list (We have turkey, ham and roast), but to add it when part of the series uses a conjuction (We have turkey, ham, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches).

Both are right. So, if you don't have to follow a certain style guide, use the method that makes it clear for readers.